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Joint Operation Designed to Take Illegal Guns, Drugs Off Streets, Officials Say

Death of officer Crispin was catalyst, officials say

LAKELAND POLICE CHIEF LISA WOMACK, center, speaks Wednesday during a news conference about the joint task force "Smoke-N-Guns" roundup in Lakeland. The weapons displayed were not confiscated during the operation. U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill, left, and ATF Special Agent Julie Torres represented their agencies at the news conference.

ERNST PETERS | THE LEDGER

By ELVIA MALAGONTHE LEDGER

Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 4:40 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 4:40 p.m.

LAKELAND | Twenty-three people were arrested Wednesday who face federal or state charges of drug and firearm trafficking after a six-month investigation involving the Lakeland Police Department, the U.S. Attorney's Office Middle District of Florida and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Facts

These people face federal charges:

●Michael J. Harper, 27, of Lakeland. Three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, eight counts of a felon in possession of a firearm, transfer of an unregistered firearm and aiding and abetting the transfer of an unregistered firearm.

●Phillip Thomas, 19, of Lakeland. Aiding and abetting a felon in possession of a firearm, transfer of an unregistered firearm, aiding and abetting the transfer of an unregistered firearm.

●Joshua P. Blevins, 25, of Lakeland. Aiding and abetting a felon in possession of a firearm.

●Alton Faison, 62, of Lakeland. Two counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

●Kenneth W. Johnson, 34, of Deltona. Felon in possession of a firearm and distributing and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

●Felicia R. Walker, 39. Felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

●Orville A. Johnson, 25, of Jamaica. Twelve counts of possession of a firearm by an undocumented person.

●Alexis A. Davis, 32, of Safety Harbor. Three counts of a felon in possession of a firearm.

●De'Vone J. Watts, 21, of Lakeland. Possession of firearm by a felon.

●Charlton W. Abrams, 23. Two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

●Bobby G. Kilgore, 23, of Lakeland. Two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

●Kevin L. McMillan, 27, of Winter Haven. Two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base and two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

●Mahlon L. Dixon, 21, of Lakeland. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base and two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

●Oliver McClain, 58, of Mulberry. Three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon.

●Horace Pollard, 49, of Lakeland. Three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon and transferring of an unregistered firearm.

●Vakisha Smith, 47, of Lakeland. Distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, five counts of felon in possession of a firearm and transferring of an unregistered firearm.

●Charles Nichols, 30, of Lakeland. Three counts of distribution of cocaine and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon.

●Wendell Carson, 24, of Lakeland. Two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

●Akeem Townsend, 23, of Lakeland. Conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and coaine base, six counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and carrying, using and possessing a firearm in a drug trafficking crime.

●Michael Turrubiartes, 24, of Lakeland. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.

●Ervin Moye III, 26, of Lakeland. Five counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and carrying, using and possessing a firearm in a drug trafficking crime.

●Aloniza Williams, 38, of Lakeland. Possession of a firearm by a felon, distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and carrying, using and possessing a firearm in a drug trafficking crime

●Terrell Day, 29, of Lakeland. Possession of an unregistered firearm, transferring an unregistered firearm and three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

●Jaques Randolph, 31, of Lakeland. Ten counts of possession of a firearm by a felon and unlawful transferring of an unregistered firearm.

These people face state charges:

●Chester D. Richardson, 42, of Plant City. Sale of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school.

●Anthony D. Thomas, 25, of Lakeland. Selling marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of drug paraphernalia.

●Ronald R. Simpson, 18, of Lakeland. Dealing in stolen property.

●Orville S. Mongol, 35, of Lakeland. Violation of probation.

●Paul Galloway, 28, of Lakeland. Selling marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of marijuana with intent within 1,000 of a school and possession of drug paraphernalia.

●Deante D. Johnson, 17, of Lakeland. Dealing in stolen property.

Officials said the death of Lakeland Officer Arnulfo Crispin in December 2011 sparked the investigation. Crispin was shot Dec. 18, 2011, with a stolen firearm, at a city park on Crystal Grove Lane as he was patting down a group of teens, according to police reports. He died days later at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

"The tragic death of Officer Crispin was a sobering moment," said Robert O'Neill, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida.

Lakeland Police Chief Lisa Womack said officials wanted to reduce the number of illegal firearms in the community to stop violent crimes through the operation. The firearm used in the shooting of Crispin was reported stolen after a burglary, according to police reports.

Information about how many times firearms were used during violent crimes in Lakeland is not available. However, in 2011, there were 548 reported violent crimes in Lakeland that included murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website.

"I think this is going to send a message to the bad guys in Lakeland that we aren't going to tolerate it," Womack said.

Undercover detectives worked for six months to buy firearms and drugs from those who were arrested Wednesday, Womack said.

The operation, dubbed "Smoke-N-Guns," zeroed in on previously convicted felons, suspected drug dealers and gang members in the area who had been, or were, illegally selling drugs and firearms, officials said. Those arrested range in age from 17 to 62.

Five of the firearms recovered had been reported stolen during the time the investigation was under way, she said.

Womack wouldn't specify whether there was a neighborhood in Lakeland where most of the sales occurred, but she said all happened within the city limits.

Five suspects who were already in jail on other charges were additionally charged Wednesday. Officials are searching for 12 other suspects and have yet to identify seven other suspects.

At Wednesday's news conference, officials displayed examples of the types of firearms seized. The actual guns bought by undercover detectives were not displayed because Womack said she wanted to be cautious so that it wouldn't interfere with the ongoing investigation and prosecution.

Julie Torres, a special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the firearms seized include pistols, shotguns and assault rifles.

Womack said Wednesday's arrests were one part of the investigation and said the department will check to see whether any of those arrested have been involved in other crimes or if the firearms seized were used in shootings or home invasions.

"This is a great start," she said.

[ Elvia Malagon can be reached at elvia.malagon@theledger.com or 863-802-7550. Her Twitter is @ledger911. ]

<p>LAKELAND | Twenty-three people were arrested Wednesday who face federal or state charges of drug and firearm trafficking after a six-month investigation involving the Lakeland Police Department, the U.S. Attorney's Office Middle District of Florida and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.</p><p>Officials said the death of Lakeland Officer Arnulfo Crispin in December 2011 sparked the investigation. Crispin was shot Dec. 18, 2011, with a stolen firearm, at a city park on Crystal Grove Lane as he was patting down a group of teens, according to police reports. He died days later at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.</p><p>"The tragic death of Officer Crispin was a sobering moment," said Robert O'Neill, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida.</p><p>Lakeland Police Chief Lisa Womack said officials wanted to reduce the number of illegal firearms in the community to stop violent crimes through the operation. The firearm used in the shooting of Crispin was reported stolen after a burglary, according to police reports.</p><p>Information about how many times firearms were used during violent crimes in Lakeland is not available. However, in 2011, there were 548 reported violent crimes in Lakeland that included murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website.</p><p>"I think this is going to send a message to the bad guys in Lakeland that we aren't going to tolerate it," Womack said.</p><p>Undercover detectives worked for six months to buy firearms and drugs from those who were arrested Wednesday, Womack said.</p><p>The operation, dubbed "Smoke-N-Guns," zeroed in on previously convicted felons, suspected drug dealers and gang members in the area who had been, or were, illegally selling drugs and firearms, officials said. Those arrested range in age from 17 to 62.</p><p>During the investigation, undercover officers bought 109 firearms, 334 grams of crack cocaine, 242 grams of powder cocaine, 31 grams of methamphetamine, 602 pills such as oxycodone and Xanax and 932 grams of marijuana, Womack said. Detectives seized $19,501 in cash during Wednesday's arrests.</p><p>Five of the firearms recovered had been reported stolen during the time the investigation was under way, she said.</p><p>Womack wouldn't specify whether there was a neighborhood in Lakeland where most of the sales occurred, but she said all happened within the city limits.</p><p>Five suspects who were already in jail on other charges were additionally charged Wednesday. Officials are searching for 12 other suspects and have yet to identify seven other suspects.</p><p>At Wednesday's news conference, officials displayed examples of the types of firearms seized. The actual guns bought by undercover detectives were not displayed because Womack said she wanted to be cautious so that it wouldn't interfere with the ongoing investigation and prosecution.</p><p>Julie Torres, a special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the firearms seized include pistols, shotguns and assault rifles.</p><p>Womack said Wednesday's arrests were one part of the investigation and said the department will check to see whether any of those arrested have been involved in other crimes or if the firearms seized were used in shootings or home invasions.</p><p>"This is a great start," she said.</p><p> </p><p>[ Elvia Malagon can be reached at elvia.malagon@theledger.com or 863-802-7550. Her Twitter is @ledger911. ]</p><script></script>